New School Named for Spruce Meadows Founder

CALGARY – Ron Southern School is the name of the new elementary school being built in Silverado. The Board of Trustees of the Calgary Board of Education approved the name for the new school in Calgary’s deep southwest community that is neighbour to Spruce Meadows.

Ron Southern (b. 1930 – d. 2016) was the founder and chairman of ATCO Group. He also founded Spruce Meadows, which opened in 1975. He was an entrepreneur, a visionary and a community builder. He and his wife, Margaret, built Spruce Meadows into a world-class equestrian sports facility that will continue to benefit Calgary for generations to come. Southern was inducted into the Order of Canada in 1986, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2012. He was a supporter of education and enjoyed sharing his passion for sports and horses with students.

“Ron Southern School is a very fitting name for the new school in Silverado. Mr. Southern was a leader in our community and his legacy will provide many learning opportunities for students,” says Amber Stewart, Trustee wards 12 & 14.

The school naming committee, comprised of CBE Trustees, parent and/or community representatives and members of CBE administration, gathered stakeholder input on possible names before making their recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

Ron Southern School is expected to open in September 2017.

Visit cbe.ab.ca/newschools webpage for more information on this and all of our current school construction projects.